RETRANSMISSION FOR ALTERNATIVE CROP - A protestor hurls a cannister clashes in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. Protesters smashed the windows of shops in Rome and torched a car as violence broke out during a demonstration in the Italian capital, part of worlwide protests against corporate greed and austerity measures. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Ran on: 10-16-2011
A man hurls a canister at a burning car as violent demonstrators smashed windows and torched vehicles after breaking away from a peaceful protest of corporate greed.
Ran on: 10-16-2011
A man hurls a canister at a burning car as violent demonstrators smashed windows and torched vehicles after breaking away from a peaceful protest of corporate greed.

Elsewhere, hundreds of thousands nicknamed "the indignant" marched without incident in cities across Europe, as the Occupy Wall Street protests linked up with long-running demonstrations against European governments' austerity measures.

Heavy smoke billowed in downtown Rome as a small group broke away and wreaked havoc in streets close to the Colosseum and elsewhere in the city. Riot police charged the protesters repeatedly, firing water cannons and tear gas. Around 70 people were injured, according to news reports. The ANSA news agency said four people from an anarchist group were arrested.

Elsewhere, bright autumn sunshine and a social-media campaign brought out thousands across Europe.

In Spain, the Indignant Movement that began around-the-clock "occupation" protest camps in May that lasted for weeks held evening marches Saturday that converged on Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza. Organizers said 300,000 people took part, but police did not offer an estimate.

Portuguese protesters angry at their government's handling of the economic crisis pushed against police lines in Lisbon, but officers stopped them from storming parliament. Portugal is one of three European nations - along with Greece and Ireland - that has had to accept an international bailout.